Susan Gillard - M&M Surprise Murder

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Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2016 by Guardian Publishing Group - All rights reserved.

All rights Reserved. No part of this publication or the information in it may be quoted from or reproduced in any form by means such as printing, scanning, photocopying or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright
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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

The stands beside Hillside Highs football field buzzed beneath the blue sky. People chatted and shifted to get better views of the range.

Its amazing, Lilly said and grasped Heathers hand. She craned her neck and peered around the couple seated in front of them. Its like the Olympics!

If the Olympics sold soggy chips, Amy replied, and scrunched up a bag on Heathers left side. The only positive about this experience is that youre supplying the donuts, Heather. Oh, and Jungs part in the competition.

Jung had taken up a station next to a receptacle. The ends of his arrows peered out of it. He held his bow in one hand and stared at the targets set up on the opposite end of the range.

The archery competition was new. A tradition the Mayor would love to continue, no doubt.

Whos that? Amy asked, and pointed at the competitor beside Jung.

Jessica Laverne. Jinx for short, Heather replied. Rumor has it that she's the best archer in the entire state. And rumors had jostled around on two legs in Donut Delights the past week.

Jinx. Ack, I hope she doesnt jinx Jung. Hes been freaking out about this for the past week. Amy shook her head, then stopped and waved at the flights of stairs at the end of their row.

Maricela stood there, grasping the end of a donut tray and grinning from ear-to-ear. She hurried to them, then stopped and offered the tray. M&M Surprise?

Definitely. I didnt spend all last night making these bad boys for nothin, Amy replied.

Her assistants had split into groups to tackle the event. Amy and Ken had stayed late and worked on making the delicious donuts.

M&Ms hidden in the chocolate batter, and sprinkled on top of the plain vanilla glaze after dipping. Yum.

Maricela and Angelica had opted for selling donuts in the stands.

Amy accepted a donut, paid for it, then took a huge bite. Oh wow, she said, around the mouthful of sweetness. Thats just the best.

May I have one please? Lilly asked. How much for one?

Ill get them for us, Heather said and brought out her purse. She paid, then picked up the two donuts on their serviettes and handed one to Lilly.

Thanks, Au-Heather.

Careful, Ill take that donut back if you give me the gray hairs, Heather replied.

Lilly still hadnt gotten out of the habit of calling her aunt. Maricela winked at them, then hurried off into the stands.

The donuts were a hit. The folks in the seats around theirs munched and crunched donuts, grinning chocolate and M&Ms at each other.

Whens this show gonna start, anyway? Amy asked, and chewed her way through another bite.

Heather checked her filigree silver watch. Thats weird. It shouldve started fifteen minutes ago. Where are the judges?

Lilly flipped her program open, then bent over it. The judges are Leticia Jackson and Kyle Henson. If that helps.

Thanks, Lills, but well just have to be patient this time, Heather replied. At least they had the donuts for company.

Jung shook out his arms on the field, then glanced back up at the stands. Heather, Amy, and Lilly waved. He grinned and waved back, then puffed out his cheek. A gentle breeze fluffed his jet black hair.

He looks nervous, Lilly said.

Hes terrified, Amy replied. But hell do great. Jungs got what it takes to make it, youll see.

You sound pretty confident. Heather finished off her donut, then used the serviette to wipe off her fingertips.

Ive seen him practicing. He hits the middle of those circle things every time, Amy replied, and gestured to the targets.

Heather shifted in her seat, then hummed Sugar Man by Rodriguez.

Is that an appropriate song? Amy asked.

Sugar, donuts. You know what I mean. Ah, look somethings happening, she said, and pointed to the remote stand.

Two people emerged from the locker room. The audience smattered applause at their appearance.

Wait a second, Heather said and stood straight as a candy thermometer. Wait one hot second.

Hey, lady! A grumpy, bearded guy not Geoff, at least yelled behind them. Sit down. I cant see.

Heather ignored him, then raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun.

Hey! The guy clapped at her.

Amy spun on the spot and glared at him. Oh, would you relax? Eat a donut or something, big guy.

Whats that supposed to mean?

It means you need someone to sweeten you up, Amy replied.

Heathers heart sank to the bottom of her stomach.

Ryan strode to the main table at the other end of the field, accompanied by a tall woman, her dark hair braided and gathered at the nape of her neck.

That cant be good, Heather said, then plopped down in her seat.

What? What is it? Amy asked.

Lilly scooted closer and squinted at the table. Its Unc Ryan! Ryans here. Thats cool.

No, Amy whispered. Thats not cool.

Jung stopped moving down below. He glared directly at the head, judging table.

The speakers situated behind the stands buzzed and clicked, then screeched. Heather grimaced and covered her ears.

Ryan tapped on the end of a microphone. The Archery Event 2016 is postponed until further notice. Please exit the stands and the school grounds immediately.

What? The bearded guy screeched. I paid good money for this ticket!

This guy, Amy said and jerked her thumb over her shoulder. She rolled her eyes. Somebody needs to take the worlds biggest, donut shaped chill pill.

Ryan handed the microphone to the woman beside him.

This is Judge Leticia Jackson. I can confirm that the event is postponed. Full refunds will be offered at the gate. A new time and date will be announced for the competition

The folks around Heather and her girls rose and grumbled. They shuffled to the exits.

Unbelievable, the bearded guy said. Waste of my time. I couldve been home.

Preening his beard? Amy whispered.

Lilly giggled and pressed her fist to her mouth.

Heather couldnt find humor in the situation. She stared at Ryan, peeking between the moving bodies, and sighed.

Here we go again, she whispered.

Chapter 2

Heather brushed off the glass counter in Donut Delights, then walked out from behind it. She placed her hands on her hips and stared from one assistant to the other.

Jung sat in the center of the room, his head on his arms.

Everythings going to be fine, Heather said. We dont know whats happened yet. We cant make any rushed assumptions.

It has to be something serious, Amy said. She shifted in the seat just in front of the windows. Evas spot. Except Eva had taken Lilly back to Bill and Colleens and Heather had closed the store to the public.

Drilling and yells from next door broke her thoughts into two equal pieces. She rubbed her temples, then cleared her throat. Its going to be fine. Im sure Ryan will tell me what happened when he gets the chance.

Its over, Jung replied, raising his voice to be heard over the drills and slams next door. Ill never get to compete. He lifted his head off his arms and sighed. Dark rings sat circled his eyes. This is what Ive wanted for years. I cant believe its over.